JASON'S OTHER BLOG

This is a crazy time

2007-06-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

We're moving to a new apartment this weekend, I'm starting a new day job on Monday, and I've been driving up to LA to do auditions every couple of days. Today I auditioned for a Snickers commercial. I played a viking. The premise is that a viking, a Roman, a pilgrim, a Polynesian, and Henry VIII are in a 1993 Ford Taurus together and they...well, you'll see it when it airs. Let's just hope I'm in it.

Moving is stressful but exciting.

Hold your pants on.

2007-06-05T18:11:00.001-07:00

I'm still messing with the look of this thing. Just wait a second. Jeez.

Best thing I've read today.

2007-06-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

Zen Parable or Just Someone Being Cruel?

via McSweeney's

Online art project idea.

2007-06-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Driving home this morning, I had an idea for a potentially brilliant online art project. Someone has undoubtedly tried this before, but because of the nature of the project, it would be almost endlessly interesting and fruitful.

A person documents and publishes on the web every word that they say for a given period of time. Say, a week. Simple, no? I had this idea because as I was driving, I was singing to myself and I sang the nonsense phrase, "OH, YOU MAGNIFICENT BABY!" This is not the lyric to any song that I know and it doesn't make any "sense," and yet it pleases me to sing it and to reflect on it. And as Richard Foreman acknowledges, there really is no such thing as "nonsense," anyway. Our mind automatically makes "sense" out of everything that is presented to it.

There would be serious potential to get to the bottom of some subconscious impulses with a exercise like this.

What would the overall effect be if one were to read the whole of one's verbal expression for a week, together, on one page? Or if someone else were to read it? How would it affect a person's life and choices if he or she knew that EVERYTHING he or she said would be made known to the public? Would it even be interesting? It would be interesting.

Granted, this would take a lot of time and effort. Recording and transcribing. But there may be something here. Yes...

Best thing I heard today. Pt. 1

2007-06-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

"I just want to make it clear that it wasn't me doing the yodeling."

-Guy walking into UCI gym

Challenge.

2007-06-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

I defy any cat in the world to be as soft as my cat. Go ahead cats. Try. You won't be able to and do you know why? Because Cheeto is the Softest Cat In The World. I'm petting him right now and it's true.

Speaking of cats. Have you seen this?

I may be the last person in the world to have seen this but that doesn't make it any less funny. And if you like that, go HERE and HERE. It's so great.

Let's kick this thing off right.

2007-06-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

So I'm back. Maybe for good. Maybe for just a little while. Maybe I'll just do this one post and then never post again. I don't know why I left. I like blogging. It's fun. I did get a little busy there for a while, but certainly not busy enough to merit not posting since OCTOBER 2006. Whatever. I've left blogs before and abandoned them altogether or just for a long while. I even used to have a livejournal back when that was the thing. And it's fun to go back and read old posts. I don't remember things particularly well/vividly on my own and having a journal helps. It's worthwhile. It's also a little scary because it's me now. This sort of becomes part of my perceived identity because I'm putting it out there and these things don't really go away. Sure, I can delete the blog and all that but it stays cached on some server somewhere. It's written in stone or as good as.

Anyway, I'm posting again and in a new color, too. White seemed appropriate, so I made a little change.

What HAVE I been doing for the last seven months? School. Showcase. Graduation. I'm done now. I'm a master of fine arts. Or so says the State of California. And I agree with them. So I'm starting -- or continuing, actually -- my professional life.
And I don't have a mustache anymore.

Breaking Facial Hair News

2006-10-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

My mustache needs no elaboration.

Nevertheless, I will elaborate. This is me as my character, Bob "Whiplash" McCord in THE MARRIAGE OF MISS HOLLYWOOD AND KING NEPTUNE, opening next week at UCI's studio theater. Or it's just me with a mustache, arching my eyebrow. Same thing, really.

THE BILLIONAIRE GENTLEMAN-HORSE IS GOLFING AT THE GOLF COURSE WITH MAYOR DOGS!!!

2006-10-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is easily the most facinating and entertaining thing I've run into on the web in months. I don't even know what to say. It's brilliant because the more you read, the more patterns emerge, like an obsession with animals (obviously), wigs, tricks, beans, and even a sort of narrative with established characters. I'm sure it's designed to be intentionlly absurd and funny, but it seems very close to a Wesley Willis-type thing.

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!

I want my bike, I want my bike, I want my bike!

2006-10-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday two spokes on the back wheel of my bike busted. This is the fourth time this has happened in as many months. Yes, I ride my bike a lot, but it's not like I'm doing anything stupid with it like taking it off-road or jumping curbs or anything. The fact is, I weigh a good deal more than your average bike rider. That doesn't seem fair, though. I have a hard time finding pants long enough AND I have to get my rear wheel rebuilt? One or the other, but not both. That is too much.

In response to Joanne's request, here are photos of Cheeto with his eyes open.

On top of the fridge, which is strictly against the rules.

Close up on top of the fridge.

And, for comparison, a jellyfish.

Cheeto vs. Anti-cheeto

2006-10-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today our cat began rushing around the house making a sound that was something like that barking noise cats make when they see a bird, but about two notches crazier. He'd sit in the bedroom window for a couple seconds and then run over to the office window, going back and forth like that for about ten minutes. His tail was puffed up to three times its normal size (which I have only ever seen him do once before when our friend Jen was here. Which is weird because Jen was not provoking him. And she loves animals. Indeed, she's a vegan. Well, was a vegan. Now she's a vegetarian. Anyway...) I couldn't figure out what was going on until I finally spotted a cat down in the parking lot that looked a great deal like Cheeto, but a little fuzzier and whiter. The two cats stared at each other through the window for ten seconds before the outdoor cat tore off into a bush. He had evil in his eyes, I tell you. Amanda and I have dubbed him The Anti-Cheeto.

I...am a clown.

2006-10-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

I am currently rehearsing the role of Bob "Whiplash" McCord in THE MARRIAGE OF MISS HOLLYWOOD AND KING NEPTUNE by Robert Schenkken. Bob is a grand British Shakespearean actor who has been lured to Hollywood (in the late 1920's) to make crappy silent Western films. It's funny stuff and is giving me a chance to work on my Standard British dialect. It is also my second role in less than a year in which a bullwhip plays a significant part. Weird. For that matter, it's my second role in under a year in which I play an actor. Interesting. Hadn't thought of that. I suppose that means my type is "bullwhipping actor." Which, I would assume, is a type that very few actors fall into. Well, good. Good for me.

I can crack that whip, alright. Oh, can I crack it!

What is new

2006-08-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

What's new is that I've been working a 8:30 to 5:00 job at El Pollo Loco and then going to rehearsal from 6:00-10:00 every weeknight for the last three weeks and I'm exhausted. But in a good way, of course. I can't remember if I've blogged about it here (too lazy to check) but I'm rehearsing a play called WOOF, DADDY that will perform at the San Francisco Fringe Festival beginning on Sept 6. It's a great show. It's 45 minutes long and intense. And weird. I love weird plays. It's my favorite genre.

I posted a bunch of rehearsal photos on my website. So go look at them and tell me what you think. If you read this blog anymore. And you can also check out our SF Fringe page. If you live in or around San Francisco (BRIDGET) I can't wait to see you! Get your tickets now!!

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging lately.

2006-08-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

I've been working at El Pollo Loco, Inc. (many of you may not have heard of El Pollo Loco, but you will soon as it's on the brink of nationside expansion. It's a quick serve/fast casual restaurant concept with 350 locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Illinois. Really good food, acually.) as an Executive Assistant. And then I've been rehearsing every night from 6-10. But I've only been rehearsing for the last week, so I don't have an excuse for the rest of the summer. Anyway, things are superbusy. But I have a Saturday off, which is fantastico.

Gurn results

2006-06-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

I forgot to tell you that I took second place in the gurn competition this year. Jovanni, who can do this weird thing with her lips where they go in completely opposite directions, took first. How I hate her. I wish I had pics, but no dice, yet. Working on it.

The eleven most intimidating names of motorcycle distributors/manufacturers that I've had to call for my temp job

2006-06-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

Wicked Choppers

Scorpion Choppers

Pitbull Motorcycles

Vengeance Motorcycles

Killer Chopper

Demon Chopper

Liberator Motorcycles

Darkside Customs

Death Row Chopper

Hellbound Steel Motorcycles

Funtime Scooters

a few days left

2006-06-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

This quarter's almost over! I just finished my two big end-of-the-year performance projects... Friday I played Sweeney Todd in an extremely shortened version of the musical for my Musical Theatre 4 workshop (such amazing music) and also did our final workshop performance of a brand spanking new play called Les Jeux Sont Faits, based on the novel by Jean-Paul Sartre. Just a few more papers to grade and an exam to give and I'm D-U-N done! Then it's on to some good old fashioned summer tempin'!

Things I've been calling our cat lately besides Cheeto which is his official name:

2006-05-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

Kitty

The Cheat

Mr. Bones

Mr. Orange

Mr. Machine

Peaches

Simba (his former name - mostly Amanda has been calling him this)

Cymbeline (again, mostly Amanda)

Lou

"We were burnt by the sun...

2006-05-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

...having way too much fun. Sleepless downtown overload, did I stay outside too long?"

TWENTY points to whomever can name that tune. No googling allowed.

So, I'm researching for a paper I'm writing on Macbeth and thought it would be fun to do some reading outdoors since it was such a nice day. I now have the most wicked sunburn ever. It hurts like a son of a gun and I know it's not good for you, but I secretly love it. It makes me feel healthy and summery. Anyone else secretly love sunburns? Be honest.

Beardless

2006-05-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Last night I shaved my beard for the first time since Christmas. I feel naked. And I look weird. Actually, I look almost exactly like in my headshot below, which is weird to me but not to you, probably.

Defending gurn champion

2006-05-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

So, this is how I "normally" look:

I'm just offering this as a reminder since the photo below is slightly more hideous.

Votes are currently being cast in the UCI graduate drama gurn competition. The gurn competition was something introduced to UCI by the great UCI voice and speech Professor Dudley Knight (who retired last year). A gurn, the way we define it, is a contorted facial expression. It has something to do with the voice and speech work we do in class, but I fear explaining exactly how it applies would be difficult at best and boring at worst. So instead, look, if you dare, upon last year's gurn champion:

I'll let you know how things turn out this year.

I'M SO HAPPY

2006-05-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

Finally, after weeks of frustration and trial and error, it's done!

jasonvandebrake.com

IS LIVE!

Go there and tell me what you think. It just went up this morning so if there are any broken links or anything that should be added or subtracted, let me know. Thanks!!!

Bobby and Billy

2006-05-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo from our final dress rehearsal. Keith Fowler, our wonderful director, just sent it to me. There should be more to come...

I'M SORRY! Jeesh.

2006-05-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while because I was doing a show. OKAY!!???

But now that show is over. I was performing in THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN which I blogged about a few weeks ago. We just closed last Saturday night. As usual, it's nice to have my evenings back and a little hard to suddenly stop performing a show that I rehearsed/performed for six weeks. Being Babbybobby (my characer) was a great experience. He's a nice guy but also has no qualms about dispensing justice by way of physical punishment. As I mentioned in a comment I left in Dave's blog, the final act I performed before leaving stage each night was beating a physically disabled (crippled) boy with a lead pipe. This sounds awful because it was. But it was a great chance for me to practice being a cruel person on stage. Which seems to be the number one thing I need to work on. I'm pretty okay in my everyday life at being a nice guy. I'm non-confrontational, easy-going, generally a pleasant person. And I plan to keep it that way. But it's also an absolute necessity for me to be able to turn into a bastard when necessary. So like I said. Beating a cripple with a lead pipe is good practice.

Why I eyes ya.

2006-04-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Just go ahead a clear the rest of your schedule for the day because you'll be busy watching this video clip over and over and over again until you laugh so hard you have a headache.

QUIZ!

2006-03-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

Okay here's a few more production photos. These are from the three shows I did last year. Can YOU match the names of the productions to the photos?

CAN YOU!!!???!?!!!

The productions are:
VENUS
THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
AGAMEMNON

Babbybobby

2006-03-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

The play I'm currently rehearsing is THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN by recent Oscar winner Martin McDonagh. It's a VERY dark comedy about a small village on the island of Inishmaan in Western Ireland and what happens to the inhabitants thereof when Robert Flaherty comes to the nearby Island of Inishmore to film his "documentary," THE MAN OF ARAN. I'm playing Babbybobby Bennett, and have been working on a Western Irish dialect. As a result of this, I often find myself using this Irish dialect in everyday conversations and sometimes at inappropriate times. A couple days ago I ordered a latte at Diedrich's Coffee with it. The girl behind the counter looked at me strangely. I'm not sure if it's because she was surprised to hear an Irish dialect or if I'm just unconvincing. Let's hope it's the first one.

"The Horse"

2006-03-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

The beast pictured above has a new hobby: galloping at full speed from one side of our apartment to the other in the middle of the night. This behavior happens exclusively at night and is seemingly unprovoked. Some nights he is completely silent. Others he is mostly quiet besides a few meows. And on other nights, we get "The Horse." Last night was one of those nights.

ME DRINKING FROM GLASSES

2006-03-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

In response to Dave's comment below regarding my new profile picture, here are TWO photos of me drinking. Or, more accurately, one photo of me drinking and one photo of me pretending to drink.

Pretending to drink.

Actually drinking. This was taken in New York City at No Idea bar on "Jason" night, during which everyone named Jason got to drink free. I still have this cup thanks to Martha, who put it in her bag before we left the bar and gave it to me later. Thanks, Martha!

FLEA IN HER EAR photos

2006-03-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

Because I'm on a photo postin' roll, here's some photos from A FLEA IN HER EAR, the show we did last November.

Showcase!

2006-03-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Check out these fine people. They're my third-year UCI grad drama friends. Looking good. So, this'll be me next year about this time.

KISS ME, KATE photos

2006-03-23T22:15:00.000-08:00

Click for larger images...

IT'S OVER

2006-03-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

It's over. KISS ME, KATE closed on Saturday night. It was a huge hit (we sold out every show) and was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Today, Monday, two days after closing, I'm in withdrawal. It's 9:20 pm and I feel like I should be on stage yelling at Lilli Vanessi, telling her that she'll never work in the theatre again like I have at 9:20 almost every night for the past three weeks. Yeah, it's just a show and I'm a little sentimental about it tonight but why shouldn't I be? I'm trying to get my hands on the production shots. As soon as I get them I'll post a bunch on here. In the meantime, here's a shot of Caitlin (who played Kate/Lilli in our production), Patricia Morison (who played Kate/Lilli in the original B'way and London productions in 1948-52, and who I've posted about below), and moi.

I'm sad that it's over now, but in a few days I'll be happy as a clam. There will be more musicals and more straight plays and more amazing experiences to come.

insomnia

2006-03-02T00:56:00.000-08:00

I'm posting because I can't sleep. I'm a mere week and a half away from opening KISS ME, KATE, which is the main reason I haven't been posting a thing lately. It's been consuming my every moment, more or less. Besides classes and the hour or two a day I get to spend with Amanda. I had the awesome opportunity a couple of Sundays ago to meet and sing for Patricia Morison, who was a film STAR in the 1940s and later and also originated the role of KATE on Broadway. What an experience. I'll post some photos later on, if you're interested.

The rehearsals are going wonderfully. I'm learning much about myself and my talents and I can now successfully crack a bullwhip on seven out of ten attempts.

I also found out tonight that one of my castmate's mother played the LADY IN THE RADIATOR in the David Lynch film ERASERHEAD. Are you reading this, Dave? THE LADY IN THE RADIATOR!!! Quinn (the castmate) offered this information in a very offhanded way and I replied, of course, with much enthusiasm. It doesn't get much cooler than that. She's going to be coming to see KMK and I will certainly be attempting to get her autograph.

Recommendation

2006-02-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Ooh, another thing. If you're looking for some good, heavy non-fiction reading, I heartily recommend CONSIDER THE LOBSTER AND OTHER ESSAYS by David Foster Wallace. You may enjoy this book if any of the following spark your interest:

The Adult Film Awards
The ethics and mechanics involved in cooking a live lobster
What Septemer 11, 2001 was like in Bloomington, Illinois
American English usage and how it may affect your opinions on abortion
Why Franz Kafka is a laff riot

Fine, I'll post...

2006-02-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

Because of Dave's repeated taunts, I am posting. Thanks, Dave.

Kiss Me, Kate rehearsals have begun and things are crazy, as is normally the case when in production. Class all day, rehearsal all night. But man, is it fun. It's just plain exciting. I leave rehearsal exhausted but energized and enthusiastic. This could be the role that really revolutionizes my acting skills. I get to play a big old self-aggrandizing ass. Actually, two of them since both Fred (the actor) and Petruchio (the character he plays) are amazingly attractive jerks that you hate to love and love to hate. Funny that such an enormous acting challenge should arise from such a silly play. Or is it?

Anyway, another thing I'm working on for my acting class is a long speech from Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw. I must perform it tomorrow and will type it here as an aide to memorization and to give you an idea of what kind of thing I'm actually doing in class. The character is Don Juan and the setting is hell. Here it is:

"I learnt it by experience. When I was on earth and made those proposals to ladies which, though universally condemned, have made me so interesting a hero of legend, I was not infrequently met in some such way as this: the lady would say that she would countenence my advances, provided they were honorable. On inquiring what that proviso meant, I found that it meant that I proposed to get possession of her property if she had any, or to undertake her support for life if she had not; that I dsired her constant companionship, counsel, and conversation to the end of my days and would take a most solemn oath to be always enraptured my them; above all, that I would turn my back on all other women forever for her sake. I did not object to these conditions because they were exorbitant and inhuman, it was their extraordinary irrelevance that prostrated me. I invariably replied with perfect frankness that I had never dreamt of any of these things; that unless the lady's character and intellect were equal to or superior to my own, her conversaton must degrade and her counsel mislead me; that her constant companionship might, for all I knew, become intolerably tedious to me; that I could not answer for my feelings a week in advance much less to the end of my days; that to cut me off from all natural and unconstrained intercourse with half of my fellowcreatures should narrow and warp me if I submitted to it and if not would bring me under the curse of clandestinity; and finally, that my proposals to her were wholly unconnected with any of these matters and were the outcome of a perfectly simple impulse of my manhood toward her womanhood. Nature, my dear lady, is what you call immoral. I blush for it, but I cannot help it. Nature is a pandar, Time a wrecker, and Death a murderer. I have always prefered to stand up to these facts and base institutions of their recognition. You prefer to propitiate the three devils by proclaiming their chastity, their thrift, and their lovingkindness; and to base your institutions on these flatteries. Is it any wonder that the institutions do not work smoothly?"

So, Here's The News

2006-01-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

I was doing a little blog reading tonight and discovered that a number of people are linking to this blog that I had no idea were linking to me. So thanks all y'all! I had plans to completely dismiss this blog, but knowing that there are a few curious souls out there makes me want to write more. Because I'd like to. Write more, I mean. But I'm not ready to make any huge promises because in a week or so I'll be entering what's called "busy season."

On January 30th, rehearsals for "Kiss Me, Kate" will begin. I'll be playing the role of Fred/Petruchio. I'm extremely excited about this as it will mark my first major leading role in a mainstage play here at UCI and also my first major experience acting and singing at the same time. For a long time in undergrad and afterwards, I sort of poo-pooed musical theatre. I thought it was silly and trite and not worth much. But in the last few months, my opinion has changed drastically. After learning about the history of the American musical and seeing some exceptionally good musical theatre I realized that everything excellent about the "gritty," "real," and whatever other words I would have used to describe the productions I formerly thought to be the salvation of modern theatre is also to be found in the form of the musical. The value and quality of a production all depends on the spirit and sincerity with which the thing is done! This was kind of a revelation for me, to understand that I can infuse a character in a musical comedy with the same honesty and truthfulness that I would a role from a hard-hitting piece of modern realism. Don't get me wrong, I understand the limitations of different forms and all that, and I'm not saying that the American musical is the cure-all for theatre or society's problems. But there is lots of goodness to be found within it.

So anyway, I get to be Petruchio. Will you be in California in March? Come see the show!!! (You'll have to scroll down a little to find the section for Kate.) See you there.

tagged

2006-01-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Bridget tagged me and I have to write five things about myself. I know I said that I had abondoned this blog but I feel like I have to write in response to the tag. So here are five things about myself, but I don't think anyone will read this.

1. I have a scar on the inside of my left ankle that is in the shape of South Carolina. This scar is the result of a wound (a "concrete burn") I received while pouring concrete over Thanksgiving vacation once while I was in high school.

2. There's this weird game I often play while I'm driving in which I imagine that there is an invisible thing -- sometimes a person, sometimes an animal, sometimes something else, it doesn't matter -- off to the right of the car. This thing must jump over obstacles like telephone poles, buildings, etc. that may be in its way. I must signal the "jump" by tapping on the steering wheel or clenching my jaw. This is obviously strange behavior bordering on obsessive and it's very difficult to explain. That's part of what makes it interesting/notable.

3. I legitimately enjoy difficult music.

4. I have never been fully satisfied with any pair of sunglasses I have ever owned.

5. When I walk, the outsides of my heels hit the ground first. I can correct this if I think about it, but I fear I will always walk like this. It's something I'd like to change. This abnormality results in the soles of my shoes wearing down in a strange and hilarious way,

Abandoned

2005-09-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

This blog has been abandoned. Just, don't even bother looking here. I don't...I don't know what to say. I'm feeling very self conscious right now.

Benedick

2004-10-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

This can be no trick. The conference was sadly bourne. They have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady. It seems her affections have their full bent. Love me? Why, it must be requited. I hear how I am censured. They say that I will bear myself proudly if I do perceive the love come from her. They say, too, that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. I did not think to marry. I must not seem proud. Happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair. Tis a truth, I can bear them witness. And virtuous. Tis so, I cannot reprove it. And wise, but for loving me. By my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may chance to have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me because I have railed so long against marriage. But doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shall quips and sentences and paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humor? No--the world must be peopled. When I said that I would die a bachelor I did not think that I should live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day, she's a fair lady. I do spy some marks of love in her.

feelin' weird

2004-10-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

I feel all sorts of weird today. It started this afternoon in voice class. We've been doing this exercise for the last few days in which a person lies (lays? I can never remember which one) on a mat and relaxes completely. Then three other people manipulate your arms, legs, head and torso while you remain relaxed. It feels really amazing, but it was my turn today and it threw me all off. I've felt very strange since then. Maybe that's not the cause, but that's my only theory.

I'm also working on a very strange movement piece entitled "Larva and Bean". That's all I'll say about that.

Shakespeare Monologues

2004-10-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Assignment for this weekend:

Find two new Shakespeare monologues to work in Eli's acting class. This is sort of in preparation for the Colorado Shakespeare auditions next week Sunday. I must read more Shakespeare. Why have I not read all his plays by this time in my life? Isn't that something that a serious theatre artist should do or should have done? Yes it is and I will begin now.

I'm back

2004-10-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I'm just messing around or what, but I kind of wanted a blog where the stakes were a little lower. Where I could just post something for the heck of it. I love it over at catapult but I can't just post a bunch of junk if I want. So that's what this'll be for. It will be thrilling reading, no doubt.

Test elf

2004-08-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

We'll meet again.

2004-05-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, the cable guy is coming to take away our cable tv and internet access today, so I won't be able to post until we get to Iowa. Moving tomorrow! Wish us luck -- see you in a few days!

no idea

2004-05-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the conferences and events group I've worked with at Deutsche Bank for the last nine months had a little going-away lunch for me. It was so nice. Amanda came along and finally got to meet almost everyone from work. As usual, the conversation was fast and furious, the topic changed every five seconds, and everyone was laughing like crazy, which was perfect because it was entirely representative of the general dispositon of the group. They're so much fun. I've only been away from work for a couple days and I already miss it. Yes, I'm excited to move and start new things, but it was a great job and you honestly could not ask for a better bunch of people to work with.

Also, went to No Idea? bar last night (just down the street from us) with some friends. It was "Jason" night, meaning that anyone with the name Jason got free drinks from 5-11 pm. Wait a second...I COULD HAVE GOTTEN FREE DRINKS!!! Anyway, our wonderful friends Nicola, Martha, Steve, and Katie came by and we had a great time. I guess it was sort of an unofficial going-away party. I have a peculiar way of dealing with leaving people and places. I try to maintain an exceptionally positive attitude at all times and it usually works. It's not denial, exactly, because I'm not really denying or ignoring any realities or feelings. Rather, I just concentrate on the fact that we're planning to move back to New York in three years - and with modern technology (LIKE THIS BLOG!) there are all sorts of ways to keep in touch with people - and whenever you move somewhere new, it's kind of like you're starting all over with endless possibilities ahead of you. I don't mean to act or sound like a motivational speaker, that's just how I deal.

Okay, I should totally be packing boxes and cleaning our apartment.

(If you are interested in booking me as a motivational speaker, please e-mail me at jasonvbnyc@hotmail.com)

UPDATE

2004-05-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

I'll redo some of the stuff I had blogged earlier, such as a quick update on life right now. Here's where it's at:

Amanda and I live in New York City, where she just graduated from NYU with her MA in Performance Studies and I worked a "temp" job at Deutsche Bank on Wall Street. We're moving to Iowa in TWO DAYS, where we'll hang out with family and friends for part of the summer. In early August, we're moving to Orange County, California. I'll be studying for my MFA in Acting at UC Irvine for the next three years. I'm rather excited to get started.

Previous to this, I had a livejournal. If you'd like to check out old posts, go here .

yet another new blog

2004-05-24T05:32:00.000-07:00

Something terrible happened to my old blog. It just disappeared -- white screen -- nothing. I imagine that it was somehow retrievable, but as there were only seven posts, I decided to start fresh. Welcome to the new blog.